Authenticity is Everything
Billie Holiday Autograph
I purchased this 78 vinyl record purportedly signed by Billie Holiday from an RACC trusted seller. I recently submitted the item to JSA for authentication, and unfortunately it did not pass.
I originally submitted it in person at a show here in CA a few weeks ago, and I was disappointed by how carelessly the item was handled during intake. When I received it back, there were fingerprints all over it. I contacted JSA immediately to report the condition, and they did expedite the review process.
Yesterday I received their letter confirming that the autograph did not pass authentication. I’m extremely disappointed and unsure what my next step should be, or if anyone here might be able to offer advice.
Prior to purchasing the item, I did my research and examined the signature characteristics—such as the looping of “Billie” and the shape of the “H” in “Holiday.” However, upon further inspection, the signature appears to have been written in ballpoint pen. Additionally, the Blue Ace label is known to be a bootleg label, and this particular pressing seems to have been released slightly before the time of her passing.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Ryan Wolfson
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Going through his eBay listings, it appears that a significant number of items don’t come with any COA or LOA, while others do. He also doesn’t seem to have many high-value items listed at the moment, aside from a Home Alone script priced at $25,000.
I initiated the dispute directly through my bank, so eBay wasn’t able to step in. As a longtime eBay buyer and seller, I’m familiar with how the process works. What’s more concerning is that the negative feedback previously posted about him both on eBay and the RACC has been completely removed, which is pretty questionable.
I understand with some of the inconsistencies you all are pointing out. That said, I trust Roger’s expertise. I’ll be shipping the item to him this week and will wait for his analysis.
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Permalink Reply by Eric Keith Longo
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"What’s more concerning is that the negative feedback previously posted about him both on eBay and the RACC has been completely removed, which is pretty questionable.."
This happens a lot.
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Permalink Reply by a pug called eva
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How can you tell that negative feedback has been removed unless you take screen shots or something similar? Obviously a complete lack of negative feedback would smell very fishy on a high-volume seller's account.
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He was at 100%. After my feedback it dropped to 99.1% — now it’s back to 100
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I read it straight away. It said (more or less as far I can remember) to avoid seller, that he bought it, it did not not pass JSA or "authentication", and it was pressed after she died apparently.
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What do you mean it was pressed after she died? She died in 59
I’m not disagreeing about the seller one bit. Graphpack is a POS for getting the feedback removed, dodging the dispute and ignoring the situation.
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As I said "if I recall correctly" - you said something about the label that ended with a ? I read it.I know when she died as well.
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And he is RACC? Report him to them? There are rules he must follow. What happens re #10?
All RACC Trusted Sellers must agree to do the following:
1. Assure that every autograph you sell is legally obtained, thoroughly checked, accurately described and presented, and authentic.
2. To conduct business at the highest standards, with integrity and honesty, at all times.
3. When possible, maintain a recorded history of the precise date and location of when and where each of your autographs were obtained, and be able and willing to provide these details to any purchaser with whom you complete a transaction, if they request it.
4. When possible, maintain a recorded history of the company name or full legal name of the original seller for any autograph not obtained in person directly by the RACC TS, and be willing and able to provide these details to RACC Staff, upon request.
5. For every autograph being sold online, maintain images which are clear and high resolution without exception. Minimum file size should be 500kb with a minimum image ratio of 500x500.
6. On application, provide a list of other RACC TS who may vouche for the moral and ethical integrity of the RACC TS.
7. Never knowingly sell or be involved in the sale, exchange, or advertisement for sale of any autographed or related material which is forged or where the signature is a mechanical reproduction or is otherwise not genuine; this includes autopen and any other types of forged signatures.
8. Clearly and expressly state in both the product title and description when any autographed item has been altered or repurposed from it's original state.
9. Package and ship every sold item with care and with attention to it's safety and protection during shipment.
10. State the terms under which a buyer can return an item. Return policy must include a reasonable right for a buyer to return items and a guarantee of a full refund on returns, provided the return is requested within a maximum of 2 days from the date the buyer receieved the item, and only when the material is returned to the seller in the same condition it was originally sent.
11. Maintain a receipt or invoice, physically or digitally, for the sale or exchange of any autographed or related item, which may include a history of a PayPal, auction item, or any digital commerce transaction. The receipt or invoice must clearly state a basic description of the item(s), the purchaser, the seller, and the prices, along with any terms or other relevant information.
12. Provide RACC Staff with a corporate and/or full legal name of the principals involved in the business, full street address and contact information. Optionally, sellers may also provide a clear, high-resolution scan of their legal photo identification.
13. Abide by all Federal, state and local laws and regulations related to the purchase, sale or other related transactions concerned with the securing of autographs or autograph related items. Comply with all intellectual property laws, including state, federal and common law.
14. If requested, in person autograph seekers should provide RACC staff with a detailed, alphanumeric handwriting sample from yourself, written while witnessed in person by the RACC staff or live via Skype or Google Hangouts, with an immediate photograph/scan taken and transmitted to RACC staff at high resolution.
15. Comply, within reason and within your legal rights, with RACC staff and any law enforcement agency or agents during investigations of forgery or where forgery, fraud, or the creation or sale of non-authentic autographs may have taken place.
16. Take pride in being a RACC Trusted Seller. Display the logo and RACC TS number on eBay listings and all e-commerce web sites.
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What happened with #10?
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I actually was blocked from their Facebook group for pointing out what happened.
Tried sending this on their website contact us option.
I’m extremely upset about how this situation has been handled. I was removed from your Facebook group simply for raising a legitimate concern—that I was taken advantage of by one of your “trusted sellers.”
One of your approved sellers, Andrew (Graphpack), sold me a forged Billie Holiday autograph on eBay. He has completely refused to respond to my attempts to resolve the issue. In addition, my negative feedback was removed both on eBay and within your group, which is very concerning.
The item did not include any COA or LOA, which appears to violate the standards you’ve set for your trusted sellers. Even more troubling, the seller claims his autographs will pass third-party authentication—however, the piece I received failed authentication with James Spence Authentication (JSA).
I’m bringing this to your attention because the situation is now being discussed on Autograph Live, where there are growing concerns not only about this seller, but also about the credibility and enforcement of your group’s rules if negative feedback can be removed so easily.
I would appreciate a response addressing both the seller’s conduct and the decision to remove my post from the group.
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I actually was blocked from their Facebook group for pointing out what happened.
Tried sending this on their website contact us option.
I’m extremely upset about how this situation has been handled. I was removed from your Facebook group simply for raising a legitimate concern—that I was taken advantage of by one of your “trusted sellers.”
One of your approved sellers, Andrew (Graphpack), sold me a forged Billie Holiday autograph on eBay. He has completely refused to respond to my attempts to resolve the issue. In addition, my negative feedback was removed both on eBay and within your group, which is very concerning.
The item did not include any COA or LOA, which appears to violate the standards you’ve set for your trusted sellers. Even more troubling, the seller claims his autographs will pass third-party authentication—however, the piece I received failed authentication with James Spence Authentication (JSA).
I’m bringing this to your attention because the situation is now being discussed on Autograph Live, where there are growing concerns not only about this seller, but also about the credibility and enforcement of your group’s rules if negative feedback can be removed so easily.
I would appreciate a response addressing both the seller’s conduct and the decision to remove my post from the group.
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That is the FB Group that Eddy runs? Vintage material etc?
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